Logistics Stories

As a veteran and someone coming back from a serious accident, Steven’s used logistics as a means to turn his life around. It’s meant completing a big learning curve and becoming a fully qualified class 1 driver:

“They made me feel comfortable, so that I was learning all the time. No question is stupid – it’s just a matter of speaking to those around you.”

Steven credits the job, and the new career direction, with giving him a major boost.

“I’ve never been happier, truthfully. It’s made me a better person. To anyone who’s been down and depressed like me, I’d just tell them not to give up and to embrace opportunities you may get.”

Tom is a great example of two very different, but equally positive, aspects of logistics. 

Firstly the long-term career prospects. Tom has worked his way up since joining ASDA Logistics to his current role:

“I’ve worked my way from being a picker to my current role managing a team of 52 people.”

And secondly, the incredible rate of innovation within the sector:

“The original picking position that I used to do was done with a hand-pump truck and paper, but today everything is wirelessly connected to the pick unit. It’s increased efficiency massively within the business.”

Ultimately though, it’s the team that really makes the difference for Tom. 

“I enjoy getting up in the morning and coming to work. I work with a great bunch of people that make the day fly by.”

Grace’s journey with Asda started as an industrial placement student between her second and final year of university, which she discovered on the Asda careers website. She then moved onto the Asda Logistics Services graduate scheme as a direct entry.

“I am currently working in the Non-Food Transformation Team which is my second rotation of the three I will complete”.

She works alongside the team to support the relocation of online General Merchandise operations into a new warehouse.

“This is a very exciting role as the site contains the largest single robot operation built by Geek+ in Europe. In this role I also work alongside third-party logistics providers and engineering solution companies, which is a great opportunity to build a network of contacts outside of the business and gain a lot of valuable operational knowledge.”

Within the first year at Asda, Grace has had the opportunity to travel to all 27 of the business’s distribution sites, gaining knowledge from colleagues throughout the network who have years of experience in the industry.

Having picked up effective communication, time-management and problem-solving skills at school and university, she found they were perfectly suited to a role in logistics, along with her organised and meticulous nature.

When asked what the best thing about her role is, Grace says it’s the variety.

“I am very lucky to have the opportunity to work in multiple areas of the business over the two years, which allows me to gain valuable experience in all areas of logistics!”

Originally from Slovakia, Simona began in the Birchwood store but was keen to experience the distribution site and so transferred to Warrington, where she began work as a step-up colleague. She was quickly promoted to a department manager role.

“I’m only 22, but nobody has ever told me I’m too young to do anything here, which I really enjoy. I also enjoy the opportunity to mentor other apprentices and give them the confidence to know that here, everything is possible, no matter who you are or where you come from.”

Despite her rapid progress, Simona hopes it’s just the beginning.

“I want to go higher and climb the ladder. I’ve now got experience in both retail and distribution, so what’s really attractive to me is the prospect of working at ASDA House.”

With that in mind, Simona next step is likely a data analyst apprenticeship at ASDA House.